Seventy-nine kilometers of freedom. No, not the ones spent escaping from the pack during a race, but those cycled by Vittoria Guazzini on the streets of Peccioli, where grandmother Marinetta livesThe first bike ride (December 5th) after two months after the bad accident he suffered at Paris-Roubaix (2 October) during which he suffered a double fracture to his left ankleShe had required surgery and had to miss both the Women's cycling's Tour in Great Britain and the track world championships in Roubaix.
Paradoxically, “Guazz” – who will turn twenty-one on December 26th and who has signed a two-year contract with the Fdj Nouvelle Aquitaine Futuroscope – it hurt more to give up those races than the pain of the injury.
However, she took it philosophically and with the irony that distinguishes her. «It may seem absurd – says the European U23 time trial champion – but I also skipped the track world championship in Berlin in February 2020 because I was sprint skiing on the stairs at home and hurt my right ankle and ending up in the hospital. It's funny to tell. Luckily I ran out of ankles!
Vittoria, how was this return to the bike?
It was needed, it was a liberation. I had already cycled on the rollers in the previous days, then when I got the ok to go on the road, I wentI was at my grandmother's house, where the weather was even better than at home. I went out alone, and while I was there, I calmly covered a few kilometers. Seventy-nine, the computer said.
Did you have any difficulties?
It was a strange ride even if I didn't have any problems. I didn't want to lean the bike too much, I was very afraid of falling and I made square turnsEvery roundabout was a nightmare. Even standing up had an effect on me. But the hardest thing was something else…
What?
I usually start pedaling with my right foot and when I stop at intersections I release my left foot. At the moment I have to make an effort to detach the pedal because it doesn't come automatically to me. Even when I get home I help myself with my hands. So I'm learning to detach the right one and it's not easy, makes me feel disoriented.
Did you have any particular thoughts, perhaps about 2022, during these 79 kilometers?
Honestly I was thinking about staying standing (laughs, ed.), it already seemed like a great achievement to meAnd I also thought I was struggling a lot. Especially since starting from Peccioli, where they run the Coppa Sabatini, it was immediately uphill. In the end, though, I went looking for the flatlands and a few short climbs around there.
How is your rehabilitation program going?
I also cycled the next two days, but I'm managing because I'm still feeling a bit tired. Of course I'm doing physiotherapy and in the last few weeks I also had laser treatment.I feel like I'm recovering well.
Meanwhile, the next season has practically already begun with the new team...
Some weeks ago I spent a couple of days in France to get my bike measured and came back straight awayOn December 12th I will leave with the team for Altea, Spain, for a ten-day training camp. We will also define my calendar there based on recoveryBut I will be back on December 20th, because the next day I will have the Giro d'Onore awards ceremony in Rome.
Will you have a different schedule these days?
I'm not sure yet, I should follow one that's a little different from my classmates. It will also be important for me to regain confidence with cycling in a group.. In any case, I'll stay close by and somehow manage.
Have your goals changed a bit with the injury?
In 2022, changing the environment, there was already a desire to do wellEven more so after this accident. There are many reasons. Now there is a question mark over how and when I will get back to 100 percent shape.This is the primary objective, then the fitness will come and the opportunities will arise. I hope to seize them and get some satisfaction.
Were there any positive aspects of this period of hospitalization?
In these circumstances, you have to find some. Maybe I've learned not to look too far aheadI would have liked to go on holiday to mentally disconnect, but physically I rested even more than I should haveI don't know when I'll race, but I'll definitely use this time to get used to the new team.
Why did you agree to go abroad?
It wasn't easy to decide, I thought about it a lotThe proposal from the Fdj had arrived after the spring classics, but it was my duty to wait for the intentions of the Valcar-Travel&Service. Besides, I owe them a lot if I've achieved the results I've achieved in these three years. In the end I was convinced by the attention the French have towards time trials.It's a specialty I really like and I wanted to develop it further by seeing what can come of it.
You'll be in a World Tour team where you'll find Cavalli again...
Marta was important in choosing. He had spoken well of it to me and had reassured me.The fact of already know her It's an added value. Otherwise, it's a quality team that has grown a lot. Australian Grace Brown also arrived, and she's been very strong this year. I hope to give my contributionThe foundations for doing well are there.
